Gas-fuelled lighter



Gct. 26, 1965 A. RACEK 3,213,648

GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIII IIIIIIIIIUH H I I Oct. 26, 1965 A. RACEK 3,213,648

GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 445 P4742446 f/g' Oct. 26, 1965 A. RAcEK 3,213,643

GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1964 4 sheets-sheet s Hummm Oct. 26,1965 A. RAcEK GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 22, 1964United States Patent O 3,213,648 GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER Alfred Racek,Zwerngasse 59, Vienna XVII, Austria Filed Sian. 22, 1964, Ser. No.339,406 Claims priority, application Austria, Jan. 25, 1963, A 597/63;Nov. 14, 1963, A 9,121/ 63 17 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

This invention relates to a gas-fuelled lighter, which comprises anadjusting member for varying the height of the flame, and a gas tank,the latter and the adjusting member being relatively movable.

In known gas-fuelled lighters of this kind it has been founddisadvantageous that the adjusting member can be unintentionally orintentionally adjusted even when the flame is not burning so that theoperator of the lighter iinds that the flame has been entirely changed.If the flame has been adjusted to an excessively large size, this mayendanger the operator or the person who is given a light because theupsurging llame is entirely unexpected. If the flame is adjusted to aninsuicient size, the ignitability of the light-er will be adverselyaffected.

In order to avoid an unintended adjustment of the size of the flame, ithas already been proposed to brake the adjusting wheel mechanically orto cover it with an ornamental sleeve. Whereas these measures canprevent a rotation of the adjusting wheel, e.g., when the lighter iscarried in a trouser pocket, they will not prevent an unconsciousrotation of the wheel when the user is urged by the human instinct toplay.

Lighters have also been disclosed in which the adjusting member iscovered by the lighter cover when the same is closed so that theadjusting member cannot be operated unless the cover and the gas valveare open. A separate implement, e.g., a key, is required for theoperation of such an adjusting member, therefore the manipulation ofthese lighters is complicated, particularly because such an implement iseasily lost.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lighter in which the amecan be adjusted only when the gas valve is open and in a reliable,simple manner, without need of a special implement. This issubstantially achieved by the provision of a locking member, which isoperatively connected to the actuating device for the gas valve andenables a relative movement of the gas tank and the adjusting memberonly when the valve is open so that the height of the llame cannot beadjusted unless the valve is open.

The locking member according to the invention can be used in allgas-fuelled lighters comprising means for varying the height of theflame, irrespective of whether the gas tank is iiXed or rotatablymounted in the lighter housing.

If the gas tank is rotatable from the outside for adjusting the flame,the adjusting member is connected to the housing by the locking memberonly when the valve is open whereas the gas tank and the adjustingmember are freely rotatable when the valve is closed.

If the gas tank is non-rotatably connected to the housing (and with thegas valve closed) the tank is connected by the locking member to theadjusting member, which is operable from the outside.

In the second case, the adjusting member cannot be rotated when the gasvalve is closed. In the irst case, When the gas tank is rotated with thegas valve closed the adjusting member participates in this rotation sothat a relative rotation is prevented.

In both embodiments, it has been found particularly suitable to use anadjusting member in the form of a disc provided with teeth or the like,and which is rotatable to vary the height of the flame. Whereas, the

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locking member is interengageable with the teeth of the adjusting disc.

In another structure incorporating the locking member according to theinvention, the adjusting member is operable from the outside and the-gas tank is rotatably mounted in the lighter housing and is connectedby the locking member to the lighter housing when the gas valve is open.In this case too, a relative rotation of the adjusting member and of thegas tank is possible only when the gas valve is open; whereas, the tankrotates with the adjusting member when the valve is closed.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explainedhereinafter with reference to illustrative embodiments shown on theaccompanying sectional drawings, in which FIG. l shows a lighter havinga gas tank which is rotatable to adjust the flame, and a pressure valve;FIG. 2 shows the upper portion of a gas tank for a lighter as shown inFIG. 1; FIGS. 3 and 4 show a lighter having a gas tank which is rmlyconnected to the housing, in closed and open positions, respectively;FIGS. 5 and 6 show a squeeze-type lighter comprising a gas tank which isrotatable to adjust the flame, also in closed and open positions,respectively; FIG. 7 shows a squeeze-type lighter comprising anadjusting member which is actuable from the outside, and a rotatable gastank; and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a lighter which is operable by a pushmember in closed and open positions, respectively.

According to FIG. l, the gas tank 1 comprises a pot 2 in screw-threadedengagement with a screw-threaded member 3. On its underside, the member3 is closed, except for a bore 4, and applies pressure to a throttlin-glayer 5. The throttle action varies with the pressure applied. A valvestem 6 is guided inside the member 3 and carries a seal 7, which closesthe opening 4. The valve is a pressure valve and is held in its closedposition by the cap S of the lighter. This cap engages a plate 9connected to the stem 6. A spring 10 assists the opening movement of thevalve. The outside periphery of the member 3 protrudes over the tank 1and has splines 11, which mesh with teeth of a disc 12 and teeth of aring 13. At their outside peripheries, the disc 12 has teeth 14 and thering 13 has teeth 15.

A spring 16 bears at one end on a peripherally continuous recess 17 ofthe ring 13 and at the other end on the disc 12 and urges the disc 12and the ring 13 apart. 'Ihe ring 13 engages the bottom of the tank andthe disc 12 engages an abutment disc 18 press-fitted on the meinber 3.

A rotation of the disc 12, which constitutes the adjusting member, willthus etfect a screwing movement of the screw-threaded member 3 so as tovary the height of the llame.

The tank which has been described hereinbefore is inserted from belowinto the lighter, which has a cover 19, which is connected to the cap 8and is rotatable together with the friction wheel 20 about a shaft 22,which is mounted on the lighter housing 21. A driver 23 is disposedbetween the cover 19 and the cap 8 and when the cover 19 is beingopened, this driver drives the friction wheel 20 by means of teeth 24 sothat sparks are drawn from a flint 26, which is forced by a spring 25against the friction wheel. The cover 19 is mounted on the housing 21with the aid of two lugs 27 and two limbs 28, each of which is pivotedto one of the lugs 27.

The limbs 28 form parts of a bent member. A spring 30 bears on the web29 of this bent member. The other end of the spring 30 bears on a lug31, which is connected to the housing 21. The bent member having thelimbs 28 is urged upwardly by the spring 30 an-d when pivotally movedbeyond its neutral position urges the cover 19 into its `closed or openposition. Such actuating means are known in gasoline or petrol lightersand do not form a subject matter of the present invention. To lock thedisc 12, at least one of the limbs 28 is provided with a nosel 32, which`co-acts with teeth 14 of the disc 12 when the cover and the gas valveare open.

To operate the lighter, the cover 19 is pivotally moved to the 4positionshown in FIG. 1, so that the cap S is lifted and the gas valve isopened. At the same time, the nose or noses 32 interengage with theteeth 14 so that the disc 12 is connected to the housing by the teeth,acting as locking means, and is thus locked against rotation. The heightof the flame is now variable by a rotation of the gas tank 1, which hasa serrated portion 33 protruding from ythe housing 21. When the cover-and valve are closed, the disc 12 Will follow a rotation of the tank 1so that the height of the llame cannot be adjusted. To define upper andlower limits for the height of the llame, one of the teeth 15, in theexample shown the tooth a, is bent down and at least one stop 34 isprovided at the tank bottom so that the disc 12 can be rotated only in alimited range relative to the gas tank 1.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative form of a gas tank which can be insertedinstead of the tank 1 into the lighter shown in FIG. 1. The tank 35 hasagain a pot 36, which accommodates in its lower portion the throttlinglayer 5.

A hollow screw-threaded member 37 is contained in and in threadedengagement with the pot 36 and bears on a pressure plate 38, which isprovided with an opening 39. This opening is closed by a seal 41, whichis carried by a valve stem 40.

The upper portion of the screw-threaded member 37 is provided withsplines 42, which interengage with teeth of a supporting disc 43disposed at the top of the gas tank 35. The disc 43 is formed withperipherally spaced openings 44 adjacent to its outside periphery.Downwardly bent lugs 45 of an annular disc 46 enter these openings.Another disc 47, which is held by the valve stem 40, is associated withthe disc 46. The two discs 46 and 47, which lie loosely one on theother, form together a rocker lever for opening the gas valve. When theyare lifted by the noses 32 (FIG. 1) in the direction of the arrow P, thevalve stem is lifted against the force of a spring 48 so that the valveis opened.

Like the disc 12 in FIG. 1, the disc 46 is formed at its outsideperiphery with teeth 49, Which co-act with the noses 32. When the gasvalve is open, the adjusting member, forming also the rocker lever, isconnected by the noses 32 to the housing so that a rotation of theprotruding gas tank 35 will result in aV relative rotation between thegas tank and adjusting member so as to vary the height of the llame.

To limit the height of the llame, the top of the gas tank is providedwith a stop hump 50 and the periphery of the supporting disc 43 istoothed. A-t least one of these teeth is bent into the path of the stop50 to serve as a co-operating stop 43a. Y

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gas tank 51 is a xed partof the lighter body. A nozzle 52 protrudes from the tank. A disc 53 foradjusting the height of the flame is provided in known manner and can berotated to vary the pressure applied to a throttling member.

The cover 54 is connected by usual means, such as a toothed disc, to thefriction wheel 55 for joint rotation in one direction, and is operatedby a push member 56, which is connected to the cover, e.g., by toothedsegments 57 and toothed wheels 58. i

The nozzle 52 is closed by a resilient disc 59, Whic .is guided in asleeve 60 of the cover and forced by a spring 61 onto the outlet openingof the nozzle. A spring 62 is provided -to enforce the closing of thelighter.

A leaf spring 63 secured to the gas tank 51 has a free end extendingunder the disc 53. That portion of the spring 63 which is under the discis provided with an extension 64, such as a rivet, which has a pointedtop end. The underside of the disc 53 is serrated by the provision ofgrooves 65 so that the extension 64 is urged by the spring 63 into oneof these gr-ooves. The disc 53 cannot be rotated when the lighter isclosed because the adjusting disc 53 is connected by the spring 63,acting as a locking member, to the gas tank 51 and the housing. Forunlocking, the push member 56 is provided with a nose 66, which forcesthe spring 63 downwardly when the push member is being depressed (FIG.4), so that the extension 64 disengages the disc 53 and the latter isrotatable for adjusting the flame. To limit the range of angularmovement, the underside of the disc 53 is provided with a hump 67, whichco-acts With the spring 63 acting as a stop.

rThe lighter shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has two housing parts 71 and 72,which are relatively pivotally movable about a pivot 70. The gas tank 73is rotatably mounted in part 71. The int -tube 74 is connected to thehousing part 72. One leg 76 of an angled leaf spring 75 extends below astop shoulder 77 of a valve stem 78. The other leg 79 cooperates with apressure nose 80 of the hint tube 74. The end 81 of the spring 75engages the gas tank 73 to prevent the same from falling out of thehousing part 71. The lighter cover S2 is articulatedly connected by abent member 33 to the part 71. A driver 84 secured to cover 82 bears onteeth 85 of a friction wheel 86. This is `similar to the arrangementshown in FIG. l. The gas tank 73 is also provided with an adjustingdevice for varying the height of the llame. The actual adjusting memberconsists of a toothed disc S7.

When the two housing parts are pivotally urged towards each other, thecover 82 will be Vopened by the bent member 83 and the nose 80 willpress on the leg 79 so that the spring is deformed into theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6 and the leg 76 lifts the stop shoulder 77.The gas which is now flowing out is ignited by the spark which isproduced at the same time.

Above the pressure nose 80, the int tube 74 is provided with anothernose 88, which interengages with teeth of the adjusting disc 87 during apivotal movement of the flint tube. Hence, the gas tank 83 can berotated relative to the disc 87 by a rotation of the notched part 89 ofthe gas tank when the lighter is open. When the lighter is closed, thedisc Will rotate with the tank, as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from that of FIGS. 5 and 6essentially in that the gas tank is provided with a pressure valve andan adjusting member which is actuable from the outside. Because thestructure of the lighter is the same as that described just before, onlythe differences will be discussed hereinafter.

A cap 90 is secured to the cover 82. When the lighter is closed, thiscap rests on the valve stem 91, which may be designed, e.g., as is shownin FIG. 1. The adjusting member consists of a hexagon 92, which isembraced by a wrench 93. An extension 94 of the wrench extends outwardlythrough a slot in the housing. The gas tank 95 is freely rotatablymounted in the housing part 71. To facilitate the rotation, the upperportion of the tank is provided with a peripherally continuous bead 96,and a cover 97, which closes the bottom of part 71, is provided with acentral projection 98. Hence, the gas tank 95 has only a point contactat the bottom and only a line contact at the top with the housing. Whenthe lighter is closed, the tank 95 will follow a rotation of theextension 94. When the lighter is opened, the nose 88 will engage anotched portion 99 of the gas tank so that the same is connected to thehousing by the nose and an operation of the extension 94 will result ina relative rotation of the adjusting member and consequently in a changeof the height of the llame.

The lighter which is shown in closed and open positions in FIGS. 8 and9, respectively, has a housing 100, on which the cover 102 is mounted bya pivot 101. A

forked arm 104 provided with a push piece 103 is linked to the cover 102so that a depression of the push piece 103 will open the cover 102 andcause a friction wheel 105 to be rotated by a known driver. An extension106 of the arm 104 bears on a compression spring 107, whichautomatically closes the cover when the push piece is released.

An actuating lever 109 for the valve is connected by la pivot 108 to thearm 104. The lever 109 is also forked and at its end remote from thepivot 103 engages a stop shoulder 110 of a valve stem 111 from below.The gas valve has a screw-threaded member 112, to which a ring 113 isnon-rotatably mounted. This ring 113 is integral with a toothed disc114, which supports the lever 109, the lever action of which causes thevalve to be opened in response to a downward movement of the arm 104.

The adjustment of the throttle valve end of the height of the flame isagain effected by a rotation of the gas tank 115 at its serrated endportion 116. When the lighter is closed, the rotation of the tank willnot affect the throttle valve because the screw-threaded member 113follows the rotation. When the lighter is open, the lever 109interengages with the teeth of the disc 114, as is apparent from FIG. 9,so that a rotation of the tank 115 causes the screw-threaded member 112to be screwed in o1- out so as to vary the height of the ame.

FIG. 8 shows also the position of the lever 109 when the fuel tank hasbeen pulled out. It is apparent that the range of the pivotal movementof this lever is so large that it can slip out from shoulder 110 whenthe tank is being pulled out and that the lever slides below thisshoulder When the tank is being introduced.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the tank and the supportingaction during the opening movement of the valve, the lever 109 is curved-on its underside. The time at which the valve is opened can be variedrelative to the movement of the cover by the selection of the curvature.In order to enable even unskilled persons to insert the tank, a spring,not shown, may be provided to urge the lever towards its lower position.

It will be understood that numerous modifications are possible withinthe scope of the invention. For instance, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 the nose 32 could be replaced by a nose provided on thecover` lugs 27 and the valve structure could be entirely different fromthat which is shown. The locking member could be provided in the form ofa nose which is fixed to the housing and the gas tank could be connectedto the housing by being displaced towards the locking member when thevalve is being opened. Hence, only the locking member for preventing arelative movement of the gas container and the adjusting member isessential for the invention. This locking member can be provided in manyforms.

What I claim is:

1. A gas-fuelled lighter, which comprises a gas tank, a gas valveassociated with said tank and movable between closed and open positionsand arranged to prevent a ow of gas out of said tank in said closedposition and to enable a flow of gas out of said tank in said openposition; actuating means operable to move said valve between said openand closed positions; an adjusting member associated with said gas valveand movable relative to said tank to control the rate of said fiow ofgas, and locking means operatively connected to said adjusting memberand to said actuating means such that the said locking means is arrangedto effectively resist movement of said adjusting member relative to saidtank with said valve in said closed position and to enable such movementwith said valve in said open position.

2. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1, which comprises ahousing, said gas tank being rotatably mounted in and protruding fromsaid housing, said adjusting member being frictionally connected to saidtank and tending to rotate therewith when said valve is in 6. saidclosed position, said locking means being arranged to positively connectsaid adjusting member to said housing only when said valve is in saidopen position.

3. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 2, which comprises a firststop arranged to rotate with said tank, and a second stop disposed inthe path of said iirst stop t-o limit the rotation of said tank relativeto said adjusting member.

4. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 3, which comprises a discconnected to said adjusting member for joint rotation therewith andincluding bendable teeth, one of which is bent into the path of said rststop to form said second stop.

5. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises ahousing, said gas tank being non-rotatably connected to said lighterhousing from which said adjusting member protrudes, said locking meansbeing arranged to positively connect said tank to said adjusting memberonly when said gas valve is in said closed position.

6. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises ahousing, said gas tank being rotatably mounted in said housing, fromwhich said adjusting member protrudes, said tank being frictionallyconnected to said adjusting member and tending to rotate with the samewhen said valve is in said closed position, said locking means beingarranged to positively connect said tank to said housing only when saidvalve is in said open position.

7. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 6, in which said gas tankis provided with notches and said locking means comprises a nosearranged to move relative to the gas tank and interengage with saidnotches when said gas valve is moved from said closed to said openposition.

8. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises ahousing, said gas tank and said adjusting member constituting twomembers which are movably mounted in said housing, one of said movablymounted members protruding from said housing, said two members beingarranged to establish a first resistance to a relative movement of saidtwo movably mounted members, said locking means being arranged toestablish a second resistance to a relative movement between the otherof said movably mounted members and said housing only when said valve isin said open position, said second resistance exceeding said firstresistance.

9. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises ahousing, said gas tank and said adjusting member constituting twomembers which are movably mounted in said housing, one of said movablymounted members protruding from said housing, said two members beingfrictionally connected, said locking means being arranged to establish apositive connection between the other of said movably mounted membersand said housing only when said valve is in said open position.

10. A gas-fuelled valve as claimed in claim 1, in which said adjustingmember comprises a disc including teeth and rotatable to control saidrate of ow, said locking means comprising a locking member adapted tointerengage with said teeth.

11. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, in which said lockingmember is arranged to move relative to said gas tank during a movementof said valve between said open and closed positions and includes a noseadapted to interengage with said teeth.

12. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, in which said lockingmember comprises a lever, which has one end connected to said tank andis provided at its free end with an extension interengageable with saidteeth, said actuating means which is operable to move said Valve betweensaid open and closed positions including a nose Which cooperates withsaid lever, to move said extension away from said teeth.

13. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, which comprises ahousing, said locking member comprising a lever which is connected atone end to said housing and is provided at its free end with anextension interengageable with said teeth, said actuatingmeans includinga nose cooperating with said lever to move said extension away from saidteeth.

14. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 10, in which said valvecomprises a valve stern, said locking member comprising a rocker leverwhich is interengageable with said valve stem to move said valve fromsaid closed to said open position, said rocker lever bearing on saiddisc, and having an end opposite said valve stem which is connected to apush member which is down- Wardly movable.

15. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 14, in which said rockerlever has a portion defining a rolling curve and bearing on said disc,the rocker lever and said valve stem being pivotally connected.

16. A gas-fuelled lighter as claimed in claim 1, which comprises ahousing in which said gas tank is mounted and is adapted for beingdownwardly withdrawn from said housing, said Valve comprising a valvestem, and a stop shoulder on said stem, said locking member comprising arocker lever which is interengaged with said valve stern to move saidvalve from said closed to said open position, said stop shoulder beingengageable by said rocker lever to move and hold said valve in said openposition, said rocker lever being pivotally movable out of the path ofsaid stop shoulder such that withdrawal of the gas tank` the movement ofsaid valve between said open and closed positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,743,597 5/56Newman 67-7.1 3,007,328 11/61 Zahn 67-7.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,210,565 9/59 France.

EDWARD I. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner.

1. A GAS-FUELLED LIGHTER, WHICH COMPRISES A GAS TANK, A GAS VALVEASSOCIATED WITH SAID TANK AND MOVABLE BETWEEN CLOSED AND OPEN POSITIONSAND ARRANGED TO PREVENT A FLOW OF GAS OUT OF SAID TANK IN SAID CLOSEDPOSITION AND TO ENABLE A FLOW OF GAS OUT OF SAID TANK IN SAID OPENPOSITION; ACTUATING MEANS OPERABLE TO MOVE SAID VALVE BETWEEN SAID OPENAND CLOSED POSITIONS; AN ADJUSTING MEMBER ASSOCIATED WITH SAID GAS VALVEAND MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID TANK TO CONTROL THE RATE OF SAID FLOW OFGAS, AND LOCKING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ADJUSTING MEMBERAND TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS SUCH THAT THE SAID LOCKING MEANS IS ARRANGEDTO EFFECTIVELY RESIST MOVEMENT OF SAID ADJUSTING MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAIDTANK WITH SAID VALVE IN SAID CLOSED POSITION AND TO ENABLE SUCH MOVEMENTWITH SAID VALVE IN SAID OPEN POSITION.